Automatic reclosable bag filler

Abstract

Resealable zipper plastic bags have upwardly protruding support members on each side of the bag mouth which are engaged within downwardly opening channels of two opposed indexer assemblies. With the bag mouth under tension, a slider assembly engages the bag slider, moves it to a fully closed position, then advances the slider to a fully open position. The indexer assemblies are moved toward each other to relieve tension on the bag mouth and cause the mouth to splay open. An insert plate is inserted and rotated to spread the bag mouth for introduction of product through a product chute. Once full, the chute and spreader assembly are withdrawn, tension is applied to the bag mouth, and the slider assembly moves the zipper slider to a fully closed position. The bag support members are then released from the indexer assemblies and the product filled bag is discharged from the apparatus.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONSNot applicable.STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to vending apparatus in general, and more particularly to automated devices for filling reclosable bags.Many vendable products are stored as intermingled quantities of goods, and are then dispensed to customers in bags. When carried out by hand this packaging approach can be labor intensive or unhygienic. An example of this type of product is cube ice.Although the home freezer is capable of producing ice cubes, sometimes the occasion requires a greater quantity of ice than can be readily produced. Moreover, in some localities, the tap water may not be of a desired purity for producing optimal ice cubes to be placed in drinks. Hence it has long been known to make ice available in bags either as blocks or cubes for consumer purchase. Often this ice is produced off-site ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The automated bagger of this invention uses resealable zipper plastic bags which have molded plastic tracks on either side of a mouth above a bag interior. A slider is movable from side to side to open and close the mouth of the bag. A support member is fixed to the bag on each side of the mouth. Each support member is a plastic element with a narrow upwardly extending stem and a protuberant semispherical head. The bag is suspended from the support members which are engaged within downwardly opening channels formed in two sidewardly opposed indexer assemblies. By displacing one indexer assembly to the side with respect to the other, tension is applied to the bag mouth to facilitate operation of the zipper slider, or by bringing the indexer assemblies closer together, tension is relieved to widen the mouth for insertion of an ice dispensing chute. With the bag mouth under tension, a slid

Problems solved by technology

When carried out by hand this packaging approach can be labor intensive or unhygienic.

Although the home freezer is capable of producing ice cubes, sometimes the occasion requires a greater quantity of ice than can be readily produced.

Moreover, in some localities, the tap water may not be of a desired purity for producing optimal ice cubes to be placed in drinks.

Heat sealed bags have the drawback that they may not be resealed after the initial opening.

Such processes usually employ heat sealing and are complicated in that apparatus for actually assembling the bag itself is required.

However, when placed in a remote position, such as in a retail environment, heat sealing equipment can pose problems, as variations in the plastic composition of the bags and environmental conditions can interfere with optimal performance.

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